"Though the album follows more the Jimmy Eat World, friendly emo road, “The Earth is Clearly Round” features genuinely distraught screaming. This means it’s not exactly fun to listen to. But shouldn’t screaming make you uncomfortable? This is part of what makes this album so gratifying — the sincerity in the vocals."

"Arcs understands that music is nothing without sincerity. "

- Highlights from a review by Nate Housley for CDreviews.com.. the whole review can be viewed at their website. - cdreviews.com

"If they were to get a little more attention, we may just see a band evolve into something great." - Scott Irvine, upbeetmusic.com

- upbeetmusic.com

ARCS is not a household name by any means. They are not as well known as other bands in the pop rock scene. They are in the stage where they are working their way into the ears of eager listeners wherever they can be found. This group of five gentlemen from Toronto, Canada, are attempting to perfect the art of pop rock and doing a very admirable job with it.

What is striking about this self-titled EP is how well it sounds right from the start. It is the kind of music that immediately intrigues you and keeps you listening, constantly pulling you in to listen more. Topping it all off are the beautiful lyrics and vocals that accompanies every note. I’m not sure that I can express how impressive Sam Sutherland is as a vocalist on this disc. His voice is unique and precisely delivers the emotion of every word throughout this EP.

This disk actually feels more like a sampler filled with many bands rather than an EP for just one. This is because of how every song switches up what is expected of any one band and utilizes different elements. For example, the songs “I wish I took more Pictures” and “I’m an A-Sharp” are reminiscent of Lydia since they contain beautifully added female vocals that really bring the songs to life. On the other hand, the song titled “The Earth is Clearly Round” adds the elements of well placed screams to accent the already wonderful vocals present. Each new element adds to each track, and yet it doesn’t feel disorganized or seems like the band needs to find what style they want to go for. This is because there is still something to each of the songs that gives a distinct feel that lets you know it’s the same band. There are a lot more examples, but it is probably best just to give the EP a listen. I feel you will understand what I am talking about.

Another striking element of this EP is how few flaws there are in the songs. Usually when I am listening to any release I can immediately pick out songs I don’t like or things about certain tracks I don’t like. This release leaves me doing very little else other than singing along with the songs.

I understand that this isn’t the band that everyone is talking about, at least not yet. I understand that this isn’t the band that all the scene kids are bopping their heads to, but it should be. This band deserves to be given a chance, and it is highly likely that if you do give them the time, they will surprise you. By visiting their website listed below you can download this EP for free, and this reviewer highly suggests that you do.

Apparently, this, their self-titled debut, features: “Harmonium, bells, piano, violin, ’bushwhackers’, egg beaters, lap steel, harmonica, and as many sing-alongs as time would allow.” Cute. But what's a “bushwhacker”? Anyway, all of the guys who sing have really distinct voices, which makes for an interesting mix. Depending who’s singing, Arcs can indeed sound like Jimmy Eat World but also like Fall Out Boy. And musically, they switch from sound to sound just as much, incorporating softer, acoustic bits into harder, beat-driven portions where they turn up the rock.

I arrived a bit late but in time to catch local opener Arcs, who struck me as purveyors of the sort of emo-hardcore-agit-rock that's pretty much the anithesis of what I generally like. But over the course of their set, there were moments of melodicism that are in even greater evidence on their self-titled EP (which is available to download gratis from their website) and an impressive level of energy and musicianship that left me thinking that they were very good at what they did, even if it wasn't really what I was into. Respect.

And they also gave Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (SSLYBY to their friends) a bit of a tough act to follow in terms of live performance and to SSLYBY's credit, they didn't even try to match it.

Debut Self-Titled EP - Released May 20, 2006 online for free. Please see "audio" for three songs from this cd. Also, visit www.arcsmusic.com to download the album for FREE!- The EP got college/university radio station air play across the country and got noticed internationally. In the week of June 26th 2006, it made a debut at #9 on the top 30 for CKXU in Lethbridge, Alberta, ahead of fantastic artists such as Final Fantasy and Caribou. We thought it was pretty neat. - Recently the song "Ghosts of Shopping Malls" was included in CBC Radio 3's podcast.

"We Aren't All Snow Angels" - Released on March 20, 2005 on a Ryerson University Compilation

"I thought I wrote this song about politics, but it turns out it might just be about me" - Released on April 5th, 2007 on a Ryerson University Compilation

Photos

Bio

Sometimes when you have everything, it gets stolen.

By the end of their seventeen-day Canadian tour last summer, Torontos Arcs had their trailer broken into, had thousands of dollars of gear stolen, and managed to blow out their transmission outside of Sydney, Nova Scotia the day before they were scheduled to return home. Yet they were greeted kindly in every city and town, doing radio interviews, performances, and crashing on all the floors they could. And they loved it. Sometimes it sucks to be a DIY indie band with a self-produced record, too much ridiculously heavy gear, and a van that may implode at any minute. But like Fidel Castro, Arcs just wont quit.

A combination of two songwriting roommates, the entire cast of Giant Killer Shark: The Musical, and a rock solid drummer, Arcs creates a diverse sound which draws from the likes of early Jimmy Eat World and Bruce Springsteen, with hints of aggression, group vocals, and leftover teen angst. They also have a lot of cool instruments.

They have shared stages with Aloha, Matthew Barber, The Junction, and Chin Up Chin Up, and this summer is looking bright as they prepare to open for Ron Sexsmith on Canada Day before kicking off another East Coast tour.

They are excited. They are driven. They are really nice. They hope you like them.

Why you might care:- Performed with Aloha, Chin Up Chin Up, Matthew Barber, and The Junction- Seventeen-date self-booked Canadian tour last summer- Online EP downloaded nearly two thousand times- Sounds like: A mixture of Jimmy Eat World, Moneen, and Wilco, among others

Sample Setlist

Set varies show to show. We always try to play as tight and as hard/soft as needed to rock you or make you swoon. We generally like to play around a half hour of original songs and very occasional covers.